Happy New Year!  I’m so glad it wasn’t the end of the world in December!  I read a quote that said something like, just because you don’t finish something, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world, just look at the Mayans!  Well, since we all didn’t disappear last month - it means I have lots of work to do!  I think I was slacking just in case, haha!  Which brings me to my next point, I don’t think I will be slacking in this class!  Looks like A LOT of work, which is kind of unexpected since I am almost finished with my Masters degree and I haven’t worked too hard yet.  Guess maybe my time has come!

                I took a technology class a few years back.  It was supposed to be technology for teachers.  All I learned is what a facilitator is.  At least that’s what the teacher kept calling herself.  I think the term facilitator actually meant – teacher who knows nothing about technology!  I was impressed with all the stuff we taught her!

So, speaking of technology . . . the most technological thing I had in my classroom was a calculator, and the batteries were always out.  But, starting with this new year,  I have iPads!  Only problem is that I am completely unfamiliar with any Apple products.  I keep wishing there was a back button on them, after all, how can I button do everything?!  We didn’t have any training, so I have been kind of slacking in the advancement of my education on them.  I did however request some apps that seem to be pretty good.  I know there is a world out there of many very exciting things I am missing, but for now we are just sticking to the apps!  I do know that some students are really learning a lot from them.  I am amazed when the same student who can’t even do 2 problems on a worksheet without daydreaming or staring out into space, will sit for 30 minutes and work on math on the iPad!  I work in a low income school, and I LOVE that some of these students who will never get close to having a computer, much less an iPad are having the opportunity to use one.  Technology is obviously the wave of the future and there is so much to learn from it!